Samar Khatiwala

Broadly, my research concerns the ocean’s role in the global carbon cycle, and in particular the complex interplay between climate, ocean circulation, and ocean biogeochemistry. Understanding and modeling these interactions is one of the fundamental challenges in science, and the key to unraveling the human impact on Earth’s climate. My research addresses many different aspects of this broad theme.

For instance, I use geochemical tracer observations in combination with inverse methods to quantify the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 by the ocean. I also develop coupled physical circulation and biogeochemical models to address a variety of problems in climate science such as the role of the biological pump in partitioning CO2 between the atmosphere and ocean.

I use a wide range of tools and approaches in my work, and am actively engaged in the development of mathematical and computational models and tools that enhance our ability to simulate the climate system. I believe that a balanced approach, in which theory, simulation, and observations play complementary roles, is critical for advancing our understanding of the ocean and climate.